Today’s Swell Noël Post features darling glitter ornaments from my friend Michele of The Scrap Shoppe. Catch up on all of the projects from the series by visiting the photo guide of all of the ideas shared by the talented Swell Noël contributors, and follow along as things happen on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest and Instagram by using the hashtag #SwellNoel.
Hello Positively Splendid readers!
I’m excited to back again this year for another Swell Noel series.
I’m Michele, and I create at The Scrap Shoppe.
I love to take unique twists on traditional crafts and make them my own.
And while I’m doing that, I figure I’ll show you step-by-step how to do it, too!
So all of my projects come with full tutorials so that we can all create together.
As the mommy of two little boys, the holidays are about the only time I get to delve into my glitter stash.
So I glitter my little heart out in as many of my crafts as possible!
So I glitter my little heart out in as many of my crafts as possible!
These test tube ornaments are no exception. Let’s get started with the tutorial!
I’m sure you’ve all heard about the Pledge and glitter technique.
I have used it before with glorious results, and still have lots left over for more crafts.
I thought it would be fun to use on some test tubes!
To make these ornaments you will need Pledge with Future Shine, test tubes (Hobby Lobby), and glitter.
Start by pouring a small amount of the Pledge into one of the test tubes and reinsert the stopper.
Roll the tube around so that the Pledge covers the entire inner surface.
Don’t shake it. You don’t want a lot of bubbles.
Pour out the excess Pledge (I poured it into my 2nd tube) and add a fair amount of your glitter.
Now is a good time to get the kids involved!
Shake the the tube so that the glitter touches every inner surface. It will stick to the Pledge.
Add more glitter if you need to, but don’t try to remove any excess glitter. Its best just to leave it.
Although the rubber stopper that comes with these test tubes fits pretty snug, I added a small amount of glue around the top to be sure it won’t pop out later.
Repeat the glittering process with the 2nd test tube.
You can make any number of different Christmas characters with these.
Brown glitter would make for a cute reindeer.
Green glitter for a little Christmas elf.
I’m opting for a snowman and a Santa.
So let me show you how to accessorize!
The first thing our snowman needs is a top hat. I’m making mine out of felt.
Cut a circle of felt that is slightly larger in diameter than the test tube as well as a rectangle for the length of the hat.
Fold the circle in half and cut a small X in the felt. Now it can be slipped over the test tube.
Along the short end of the rectangle add some glue then roll the rectangle into a cylinder.
Cut a square of felt slightly larger than the diameter of the cylinder and adhere it to the cylinder. This will be the very top of the hat. Once its dry, trim the square into a circle.
Take the bottom of the cylinder and glue it to the larger circle that we cut the hole in.
Add some decorative trim to the hat if you like then put it on the test tube and adhere it on.
Use some ribbon, fabric, or lace to tie on a decorative scarf to the snowman.
Using a Sharpie or glass paint, add the two coal eyes, coal smile, and carrot nose.
For our Santa ornament, we also need a hat.
You can use felt, but I happened to have some red velveteen fabric on hand so I used that.
Cut a right angle triangle then add a line of glue to longest side.
Roll the fabric to make a pointed hat, almost like a birthday party cone hat.
Make sure the base will fit over the top of the test tube.
Add a white pom pom to the pointed end of the hat.
I had some white furry material that I folded to look like a pom pom.
The next step is optional.
My Santa hat is tall, and I want it to fold over. To do this I need to add some wire to the interior of the hat.
Cut a length of wire slightly smaller than the length of the hat and roll it in some batting.
Be sure both ends of the wire have plenty of batting around them so they will not puncture the hat.
Stuff the batting into the hat.
Slip the hat over the test tube and glue it down. Glue more of your white material around the base.
Now bend the wire to fold the hat.
Use black ribbon or scrapbook paper (I used glitter ribbon) to make a belt for the ornament.
Glue it on then use silver glitter glue to make a belt buckle.
To hang the ornaments, tie a small circle of ribbon into a knot and hot glue it to the back of the ornament.
Now you’re ready to add some sparkle to your Christmas tree!
I hope you enjoyed this test tube glitter ornament tutorial!
I would love to have y’all visit me at The Scrap Shoppe sometime.
Thanks so much for having me over, Amy!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
now those are cute and creative! love them!
Michele these are the cutest!! I would never have thought of using test tubes but I love how cute they turned out!! I’m really going to have to try that Pledge technique soon!
Thanks so much for having me over as part of your series, Amy! 🙂
Such a cute idea!! Never heard of using Pledge before with glitter, but now I’m going to. Thanks for the great craft and idea!!!
This is just brilliant!
wow beauty ful